Something to dig about: The Burrowers

Film Title: The Burrowers

Year:  2008

                                                                      Director: J.T. Petty

Firstly, let me say that I am honored that Gorehound Mike has brought along on his trusry blog here. It is an honor and a pleasure to be working with him to infirm you about the best of the best, the bloodiest of the bloodiest, and just what the hell NOT to watch. That said, let's begin.

The Burrowers is an interesting piece of film. A western themed horror film that constantly keeps you guessing and thinking, I was not not really all that familiar with it until Gorehound Mike had assigned me the review. It was not what I was expecting, in all honesty. When judgeing by the cover alone, I swore I was being set up to watch yet another zombie film ("please god no!"). I was relieved to find out otherwise, heh.

The film opens with what appears to be a frontier family sitting down in their prarie home for a peaceful dinner. Within moments, something quick, dark, unseen, and decidedly nonhuman shows up tp stalk and kill them.

The family is discovered dead and missing, and within days several frontiersmen (one of which played by stalwart Clancy Brown), along with a seriously racist Calvary brigade, go on a mission to find out who slaughtered the family. The calgary are convinced that it was a tribe of Indians responsible for the crimes, and eventually begin to try and torture a confession out of their captive.

Now, I actually found this to be the most interesting part of the film. The theme of post-Civil War era racism and racial disharmony is felt by every character in the film, whether they are perpetrating, suffering from, recovering from or directly feeling the effects of.

One scene in particular is quite nasty as one of the affoermentioned Indians is having his toes snipped off one by one. Due to the wholly unpredictable terror instilled upon the others by the completely psychopathic  calgary lead, no one can literally do anything at all to help the poor screaming and mutilated bastard. These portions of the film are incredibly well written/acted/directed, and actually plays out as an interesting lead in to everything that follows.

Eventually, the four frontiersmen awake to find the Calvary gone, so they set out on their own, travelling deep into the odd rolling flats of the frontier, empty and desolate land. They finally find what appear to be burrowed crop circles (they are not crop circles, by the way).

The film here begins to drag a bit, but is alive by little flourishes of interesting such as the constant odd little clues and unique bits of (sometimes too obvious) foreshadowing -- many of which involve insects. While the atmosphere is kept pretty thick, and the overall mood is certainly one of a down beat kind of tension, the film seems like it comes to a standstill.

Eventually our scruffy heroes find the body of a female buried -- and still alive, though incommunicable -- discovering an odd scratching/sluicing sound coursing through the inside of her body. I can't really mention too much else here other than to say it plays out in a fairly unique way before it succumbs to being just another monster movie.

Just before the end it finally picks up. I won't toss a bunch of spoilers out there, but I will say that these are some of the more interesting and unique creatures I've seen in recent monster flicks. Being vaguely insectoidal (and possessing of truly weird and discomforting facial features), they are frightening in upclose animatronic and practical fx shots. However, they fail on every level possible when it comes to CG and CG enhancement. Seriously, they look ridiculous. Like something out of a bad video game. (You will all come to fins that I am quite unforgiving toward CG effects of any kind, and I feel my reasons are legit, but that's another rant for another time).

The film ends with a couple of surprises, yet seems to close on a seriously vague note. The racism of the earlier part of the film comes full circle in an almost startling way, and not a whole lot is really explained when the credits start to roll. I'm not sure what the whole point was after viewing. Ancient legends and myth lost to the darker parts of improperly told human history as a final point to cap off the film? Or was this just a lazy, muddy, slapdash ending to come in under budget and on time?

You really should just watch and find out for yourself. It's not like you'd be wasting your time, as this is a very original, blended-genre r film that takes it's chances and, though usually missing the mark, as least it has the balls to TAKE those chances.

Vincent Daemon is a writer of transgressive horror fiction and has been published in various publications and anthologies over 22 times. He is also the creator and editor of Grave Demand Magazine. For info on obtaining his short stories or Grave Demand Magazine please contact him at vdaemon13@gmail.com

Bloody Bloody Bible Camp: Oh Lord Save us all!!

Title: Bloody Bloody Bible Camp

Year: 2012

Director: Vito Trabucco


Months back I`ve been dying to see this film, based upon the awesome throw back cover art.  I contacted Vito and he was cool enough to give this blog an interview.

But so many films are trying to re create the grind house films of the seventies and eighties i.e House of the devil and Sleeper. So I was a little worried this might be another film jumping on the retro band wagon. As always when my exceptions are high by the end of the film not the case here.


The Film:

Unlike alot of lower budget films it never tries to get too smart or clever for its own good. It knows what it is and has no shame or apologies. And its just down right sick raunchy wrong on all levels but will leave your sides hurting with laughter.

What also makes this stand out from other independent films is the direction of photography. Vito displays a keen eye for for cinematography and slick editing and set pieces that gives this lower budget film a more polished look.

So lets talk about the blood in bloody bloody bible camp. The FX are extremely well done, and i`ll even say its on the same level as Tom Savini. The head exploding scene is sure to please every gore hound out there. Some other nasty deaths around the corner but i wont spoil them for you. The gore gags and blood fly fast and furious.

The cast is nothing sort of brilliant with genre favorites Reggie Bannister and Tim Sullivan at the helm. Reggie is in top form and gives the materiel his all without going over the top cartoonish. Sullivan plays Sister Mary Chopper and while yes he is outrageous at times it works well with the slashers he`s parodying. But I would be remiss not to mention the supporting cast who is equally good. Matthew Aidan is the stand out as the uber d-bag Tad. He is a greatest hits of every eighties jock dick you`ve seen in films.. His delivers his lines with great comedy timing and also with a good sense of physical comedy. I strongly feel with given the right breaks could be a house hold name. Cult film actor/director David Hayes also makes a enjoyable and funny cameo. If you guys never seen his film "Back woods" I implore you to seek it out.

Ex porn star Ron Jeremy makes a screamingly funny cameo as no less then Jesus Christ himself. What can I say its so random but it works really really well.  I know there is alot of other talents in the cast I did not mention but I feel everyone did a bang up job.

The Bottom Line:  Vito has taken all the fun of seventies and eighties horror slashers and boiled it down into one very enjoyable flick. This is the perfect movie to watch with a group of friends and a keg or two.

As the tag line says Heaven isnt for everyone expect you. Well folks if you like gore, tities, fart jokes, , masturbation jokes and Jesus Christ himself then this film is must certainly for YOU.

This can be found on Amazon.com - Buy this film you wont be disappointed.

Friedkin gets Buggy!

Title: Bug

Year: 2006

Director: William Friedkin

William Friedkin back in the day he could do no wrong with film lovers. He scored big with hits like Boys in the Band, The French Connection, Cruising and to horror lovers The Exorcist which even today is considered the scariest movie of all time.  Like so many great directors his latest out put is spotty at best. When the "buzz" around Bug was mainly horrible I just skipped over it. But thanks to a friends telling me to give it a look at and the miracle of netflix streaming and some time to kill I gave it a look at.

         I`m glad I did.

Be warned if your looking for a fast paced horror film with music video style edits and a murder every two seconds then this may not be for you. Bug starts out at a crawl, but gives us a nice in depth character study of two very different yet broken people and there struggles. But what starts out as a drama quickly takes a hard left turn into creepville and it only gets worse-much worse.

Gore hounds you`ll have to wait til towards the end but when the red stuff starts to flow it will not be disappointed. Watching Shannon self mutilate himself is cringe worthy and something you wont likely to forget. I wont spoil it, but there is some cringe worthy moments that will pleasure even the most jaded film lover.

Bug is based on a stage play and it shows in the film, as there is very few scenes outside of Ashley Judds motel room and even with limited scenery it doesn't hamper the films watchablity.
 The final set piece in the bug proof motel is nothing short of disturbing and visually amazing. Its really something that has stuck with me since.

This is not without its flaws, firstly some of the scenes between Judd and Shannon are at times laughable.
The sex scene between her and Michael Shannon is very strange and he delivers thee most unbelievable pick up line to get her in bed..And it works?? Its almost so bad you gotta see to believe.

Secondly I see they tried to dirty up Judd to make her less pretty and while she looks trashy its almost impossible to fully buy her white trash down and out character. She still is the same pretty actress. But thats really not the fault of either director or Judd herself.

And scenery is truly chewed at great length by both Judd and Shannon. They are over the top at points where the director should have reined them in.

Where the film is weak its made up for in other areas. Friedkin has done a rare job at filming people spiraling into deepest blackest madness and were there with them at every weird and painful moment. And it does get painful! The amount of tension that is created is on par with Hitchcock and will leave you guessing at every twisted turn.  What really sells this film for me is the ambiguous nature and that at the end we the audience are left to make up our own minds. Is there really government planted "bugs" or are both people just mentally broken to the point of no return? You decide.

Though not popular when it came out, I think people are finally starting to see this as Friedkin in top form. Bug will certainly get under your skin and lay its egg sacks in you. So check it out, or the government may be after YOU

AND IM BACK!! BASKET CASE UK STEELBOX EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW!!!

Hey fans! I`m back and i`ll be blogging regularly now.

From Second Sight comes the Basket Case Trilogy Steelbox!!

I`m here to tell you guys this set rocks!! Heres the Breakdown of the set.

For the first time ever all three films are together in one place package. Speaking of nice packages-brand new artwork graces the cover by famed UK artist Graham Humphreys.

DISCS 1 Basket Case part 1

The first Basket Case was blown up for its original release to look like 35mm. For the set its presented in its original aspect ratio and even a wonderful new high def treatment. The blood and gore never looked so good!

SPECIAL FEATURES: The gem on this disc is the feature length documentary "Whats in the Basket" produced just for this set. Its a very well produced with lively interviews from the survivors of the series. Not only does it take a look at the first film but goes in depth with the other two films and hmmm maybe a part four? You`ll have to see to find out! This only makes this set worth the money!

Also Exclusive to this set is a Mini doc. on artist Graham Humphreys.

All other features are carried over from the Something Weird release, Intro, Auto commentary Finding Hotel Broslin Trailers etc.

Discs 2,3

First time on Blu Ray both Basket Case 2 and 3 have never looked better. Taken from there original 35mm prints Second sight has masterfully transferred both prints to high def. The blacks are deep with no grain or scratches. The Sound is also well done because you need to hear those screams on your surround sound!

Bottom Line: This is a great collection to have in your collection. Worried you cant play it on your player...FEAR NOT- Its region 0 so it`ll play on any blu ray. So Americans can enjoy this set as well...

Pick up your copy at   http://www.secondsightfilms.co.uk/
thanks to second sight for sending over a copy!!! u guys rock!

80s Retrospectives: Troll with writer Ed Naha: Did JK Steal his idea for Harry Potter?

A young boy named Harry Potter finds himself in a world of goblins and fairies. Am I talking about Harry Potter? Hell no, years before J.K would pen her wizard fable Ed Naha wrote something eerily similar. Troll has a awesome cast from everyone from Sonny Bono to Julia Louis Dreyfus (years before Seinfeld) 

Troll is a crazy roller coaster ride and is a hell of alot of fun. Not popular at the time, these films are quickly growing a hardcore fan base of its own. Award winning writer Ed Naha sits down with Gorehound Mike to talk about writing this cult classic. 

                        Writer Ed Naha and his Memories of Troll

“Troll” was my introduction to Charles Band. I had recently moved to California
from New York and made ends meet by both writing books and covering films for “The
New York Post.” Back East, I had written a book on Roger Corman and wound up
writing my first two screenplays for him once I made the move.

I was sent a press package for a really odd film called “The House Where Evil Dwells.”
I mean, you know you’re in WothaLand when a spirit possesses a woman’s bowl of soup
and her reaction is “There’s an awful face in my soup.” Anyhow, it was produced by
Albert Band, Charlie’s Dad and a wonderful, wonderful guy. He loved making movies.
So, I did a phone interview with him about the film for the newspaper and, having no
pride whatsoever, told him that I’d just written two low-budget films and if he ever
needed a writer…call. (Pleasegod.)

A few months later, he did call. They were having problems with a script for a movie
called “Troll.” I went to Empire and met Albert who, then, introduced me to Charlie and
Debra Dion, who oversaw a lot of productions there.

They described the movie to me in broad strokes. I don’t know whether they had an
outline or an actual script but they didn’t show it to me. I think it was a pretty straight-on
horror premise. The cast is stalked by a troll. So, we all chatted about how it shouldn’t
be a straight-on horror film. Hokay. Now, what? I was hired, my agent did the deal and I
was off and running, or at least walking quickly.

I’d written two sci-fi mystery novels featuring a futuristic reporter/sleuth named “Harry
Porter.” So, I figured, as an inside joke shared with me, myself and I, I named the father
of the protagonist “Harry Potter.” The protagonist was named “Harry Potter Jr.” Little did
I know, eh?

Anyhow, once I got into the script, I met director/special effects designer John Beuchler
and he took me to his creature shop – I think it was in his garage - and showed me some
of the initial artwork and models.

I handed in the script and that was that, for me, anyhow. I have to tell you that the folks at
Empire were great to work with. I mean, the script was definitely “out there.” You had a
tough-talking witch upstairs, a dwarf who recites epic poetry, and a father who plays air-
guitar to Blue Cheer’s “Summertime Blues.” It certainly was different. And, the odder it
got, the more excited the folks at Empire got.

When the film was completed, Debbie Dion proved herself to be a saint. My parents were
visiting from New Jersey and she arranged a screening for them at Empire. So, the three
of us watched the movie together. My parents were impressed. I mean, nearly everyone
who’d ever been on TV in the 60s and 70s, from Gary Sandy to Sonny Bono, was in the
cast. I think the only thing that could’ve made my mother more elated was having Tony
Orlando and Dawn wandering around.

The movie was released and a lot of folks found it, um, odd. Some loved it. Others had a
more “WTF?” reaction. Over the years, it attracted a solid following – probably because
a lot of kids saw it when they were young. I mean, it’s a family horror film, kinda. All the
folks who are victims of the troll are transformed into whatevers in very cartoonish ways.

Of course, once Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books were published, the inevitable happened
within the toobz of the Internetz. I have to admit, I was the last to stumble upon
the “Troll” vs. “Potter” imbroglio. There are some folks who swear that Rowling, whilst
on the dole, viewed the VHS and was inspired. If that’s the case, God bless her. Her
Harry had a lightning bolt on his forehead but never rocked out to Blue Cheer.

For the last decade or so, there have been various announcements concerning a “Troll”
remake or a sequel or a series of festive hats. (I made that last part up. Could you tell?)
All I know is: I’ve never been contacted. I’ve never been approached. I’m not involved.
So, you can be pretty sure that, if there is another “Troll” flick, nobody will be playing air
guitar to “Summertime Blues.”

Halloween Series: The Best and the Worst Hosted by Michael Myers!!

Hello fiends I havent posted a new blog in alittle while so I thought i`d do something different and creative.Michael Myers dropped by and after he got done stabbing everyone he agreed (or rather nodded) to host this segment.             












Halloween: Best Entries:

Halloween (1978)

Of course the original is always the best. 

Halloween 2
A very strong sequel, it reveals some very important mythos to the legend of Michael Myers, like Laurie being his sister. The blood is amped up ten fold as the original has very little actual on screen blood. Some sexy nude nurses also make this enjoyable. Cleverly some Halloween season myths also turn up like the boy who got the apple with a razor in it. Creepy and adds to a sense that this is more then just a night of fun harmless tricks.  I think the mask is possible the best of the series.


Halloween 3
I went back and forth on this one, but bottom line I gotta respect the attempt to do something different, and come on, you know you`ve had the "Halloween song" stuck in your head. Yes it doesn't have Myers in it, which left a sore taste in die hard fans mouths 

Halloween 4
Do to the back lash by fans, Myers is back and so is the lovable Doctor Loomis who is yet again tracking down his former patient. Danielle Harris breaths new life and adds something to the series. Some great creepy scenes and a shocker ending makes this a treat not a trick. 


Halloween 6
What I love and also hate about this film is trying to explain the root of Myers quest to kill. On the one hand is takes away the mystery of the character. Yet I cant help like the fact that something totally different was tried. It brought back the seasonal dark holiday theme and it nicely connects to parts 4 and 5. People seem to hate on this film but it shows the attempt to expand the legend of Michael Myers and make him more then just a mindless killer with a knife. Is it perfect no but I like its boldness and worth a look at.


Halloween Remake
Bring on the hate mail!!! Yes I did enjoy this one. Zombie shows Michael as more of a human monster then the shapeless supernatural boogeyman. Love it or hate it, it takes some balls to attempt to remake such a milestone in horror film history, pissed off fans seem to forget that its just a different take on the original. You gotta love his cast. Hated to see Dee go. Do I think this is a great film, no but I liked it enough to re watch it. 

H20
The return of Jamie Lee Curtis. This is a total love letter to the die hard fans. It ignores the other entries after 2 and focus`s on how Laurie has been dealing with (or not rather) with her haunted past. A few plot holes are afoot, such as Myers has been gone for 20 years but where has he been hiding? A great young talent cast makes this a entertaining and worth revising. A fitting tribute to everyone's favorite masked boogeyman.

Halloween Worst Entries:

Halloween 5
Sloppy and poorly written and to top it all off they killed a beloved character Rachel.Seemed that unlike part four, the director seems to care very little about the mythos or adding anything new, just a simple blood bath and tit fest. No risks seem to be taken here and the end result is a very dull film. 

Halloween 8
Honestly I think it would have been fitting to end Laurie's saga with H20. I mean she finally fought back and killed her brother, its over. But in Hollywood monsters only die if box office is poor. Just bad plain and simple.

Halloween II
I was with Zombie throughout his film career but this one was bad, I think he went little too wild with the story and while I like the idea of trying to go little art house/different It just doesnt  mesh well. Sorry Zombie, I love your work but I have to say this was a mis step. 


So hope you guys enjoyed my Halloween round up. Please keep your comments civil as this is just purely my opinion and meant to be fun. My picture of michael myers is something I made, if you want to use it just ask my permission, thats all I ask. gorehoundblog13@gmail.com all i ask is give me credit for it.  


WANNA HEAR FROM DICK WARLOCK THE REAL MICHAEL MYERS? Read my one on one interview with him in my blog Archive 

80`s Retrospective Series: Street Trash Writer Roy Frumkes

Writer Roy Frumkes Shares His Street Trash Memories!

Part 1 

Inspiration for Street Trash

My inspiration for writing the screenplay was the earlier version, shot in 16mm, which was written by Jimmy Muro and Mike Lackey.  I tried to keep as much of that version in my screenplay as possible - but added a number of characters such as Fred's younger brother, Wendy and Schnizer, Bronson and his Winette girlfriend, and Bill the cop, which was a part I wrote for a good friend of mine - Bill Chepil - who actually was a former cop whose beat was Times Square back when it was the most dangerous beat in the country.

I put in a lot of personal material as well, which I think is normal for screenwriters.  When Kevin tells Wendy that his brother set him up for getting humped by a dog, that was something my brother actually did to me when I was maybe four or five years old.  When Wendy tells Kevin she was in the bumper cars and got hit so hard from behind that she swallowed all her snots, that happened to my girlfriend at the time (who was Asian like Jane Arakawa).  So I had the pleasure of insinuating bits of my life into the film, and always enjoy revisiting those scenes.

In terms of structure, since it was not a normal 3-act narrative with clear main characters, I had in mind a Kurosawa film called Dodes Ka Den, which was an ensemble piece set in a hobo camp at the end of a subway line, and I also used Huckleberry Finn.  Some of the power of those sub structures were lost in the editing (it's discussed a bit in THE MELTDOWN MEMOIRS), but some survived.